Who makes the highest lumen flashlight that takes AA rechargeable (eneloops)

[averagejoeamerican]

I am buying the Eneloop power pack for the house since we have kids toys and TV remotes etc etc. I was wondering who makes the most powerful flashlight that I can use these AA's with?

It doesnt have to be tactical btw.

 

[subwoofer]

Fenix TK41 or NITECORE EA8 are top contenders for this.

 

[RedForest UK]

The Sunwayman D40a has to be up there. I can't think of any multiple XM-L AA based lights atm, although one manufacturer does have an 8x AA MT-G2 in the pipeline

 

[subwoofer]

The Sunwayman D40a has to be up there. I can't think of any multiple XM-L AA based lights atm, although one manufacturer does have an 8x AA MT-G2 in the pipeline

Should have asked before (to the OP) how many cells are you buying?

For maintained high output you need 8xAAs, the D40a, like the NITECORE EA4 only runs on 4 AAs. These 4xAA lights can mange short bursts of high output but then step down or have very limited runtime and reduced efficiency (any cell becomes less efficient at very high current draws). 8xAA allows for more sustained high level outputs.

 

[Theron]

Please, do tell.

The Sunwayman D40a has to be up there. I can't think of any multiple XM-L AA based lights atm, although one manufacturer does have an 8x AA MT-G2 in the pipeline

 

[wjv]

Lumens aren't everything.

My 337 lumen TK15 will out throw my 740 lumen PD32UE because:

Different LED
Different Style reflector
Different tint (cool white Vs Natural white)

The small tight hot spot on the 337 lumen TK15 is almost twice as intense as larger hot spot of the 740 lumen PD32UE (11,592 CD vs 6000 CD)

Figure out what you plan on using the light for? Then pick a light to match your functional needs.

My TK15 would be a horrible light for indoors or around the campsite, but be great for lighting up a person 500 feet away.

Just a couple points of reference.
- My everyday carry light is a Fenix LD10. It has 4 light levels: 3, 13, 45 & 100 lumens using a moderately focused beam. 3 lumens is VERY sufficient for wandering around the house at night. 13 lumens is great for walking the dog, and I live in a rural area. 45 lumens allows me to stand in front of my house and see (dimly) my back fence 300 feet away! with 100 lumens I can easily see my back fence.

- I was in a lava tube a couple weekends ago. While it was fun at times to light up the cavern with 740 lumens, during the majority of the hike I had the light set on 40 or 140 lumens.

All that said, if you want to buy the most powerful AA based flashlight you can find, go for it! It's your decision. Just be aware that the configuration of the light (floody, throwy, tint) may provide results you didn't expect. Whatever you decide on, read the reviews here on CPF before buying!

 

[StorminMatt]

For maintained high output you need 8xAAs, the D40a, like the NITECORE EA4 only runs on 4 AAs. These 4xAA lights can mange short bursts of high output but then step down or have very limited runtime and reduced efficiency (any cell becomes less efficient at very high current draws). 8xAA allows for more sustained high level outputs.

Like many 1x18650 lights, the reason the EA4 can only manage short bursts of bright light is thermal rather than battery limitations. A light such as the EA4 can't possibly draw more than three amps (probably less, since it uses four cells). And this is well within the realm of what an Eneloop can produce on a continuous basis. Larger lights like the EA8 and TK41 have both greater thermal mass and more surface area through which to dissipate heat. So they can run at their highest setting until the batteries are drained.

Anyway, as far as bright lights that can run on AA batteries, choices also depend on what you consider a AA light. For instance, you could conceivably run a TK70 on AA batteries in 3AA to D adaptors. And THAT would probably be the brightest AA light out there. But it would require 12 AA batteries and four adaptors. There's also the issue as to whether there would be too much resistance from the adaptors themselves. Ultimately, the TK70 is better run on good NiMH D cells.

Finally, for a bright budget light, there's the Coast HP550. This guy runs on 9 AA batteries and is rated at 1000 lumens. But I feel that 600-700 is probably more realistic. It went for $49 (later reduced to $29) at Costco last winter. Not sure if they still carry this light. But if they don't, you might find a few floating around on ebay.

 

[Illumination]

Is the Zebralight SC52 still the brightest non-custom single AA out there? Their website says "Record breaking 280Lm ANSI from one AA Eneloop". Any brighter XPG or XPG2 lights?

Or do the newer XML and XML2 lights outperform -- remember the constraint is still Eneloops (no 14500 allowed!).

Thanks.

 

[StorminMatt]

One other option I should mention is the Dereelight Javelin. This light is actually a P60 host. So you can always run it with, say, an XM-L/XM-L2 drop-in. Keep in mind that, in order to run it with a drop-in intended for use with 1x18650, you will need the extender so that you can run it on 3AA. Also, since it is a smaller light, you will not be able to run it continuously with a more powerful drop-in due to thermal issues. However, from my experience, it can run continuously with a 500 lumen XM-L2 drop-in with no serious issues. In any case, an XM-L2 is THE way to go due to the higher efficiency and lower heat output. Runtime on high (500 lumens) is a fairly respectable hour and fifteen minutes. Longer with higher capacity batteries (such as Eneloop XX or the new Duracell Ion Cores). The Javelin is also a VERY compact light, even with the extender.

Is the Zebralight SC52 still the brightest non-custom single AA out there? Their website says "Record breaking 280Lm ANSI from one AA Eneloop". Any brighter XPG or XPG2 lights?


Or do the newer XML and XML2 lights outperform -- remember the constraint is still Eneloops (no 14500 allowed!).


Thanks.

Unless someone else has come out with something new, it is still the brightest 1AA out there. As far as other emitters, none is as efficient as the XM-L2 (at least nothing widely available). Not even the XP-G2. So given the limitations as far as 1AA drivers, it's not very likely that there will be a brighter 1AA light based on the XP-G/XP-G2. These smaller emitters will throw better (given the same optics). But the XM-L2 will simply produce more light output. And if you want flood, it's a no-brainer.

 

[regulation]

Consider what you want and how you use the light. Lumens are not all the thing. And BE WARE HOW LONG THE HIGHEST LUMENS CAN LAST! I don't think you would buy a light that can only sustain three minutes on highest lumens while you need it to be working longer!

 

[KarstGhost]

Good choice on batteries.

I wouldn't pay attention to the brand. Any light with an XML2 emitter will be up there for total lumen. Nearly every manufacturer you see on this forum has a light out with an XML2.

 

[Quality]

IMO first tell us how many AA's you would prefer in your ideal flashlight, because as you can see, we can suggest up a storm!

There are some great lights in 1xAA, 2xAA, 3xAA etc. all the way up to 8xAA. Tell us which form factor would you prefer and you will have great recommendations in no time.

 

[Kokopelli]

Eagletac has some powerful AA lights released recently. Through the reviews, with XML2 emitters, 3x and 6x AA setups, these lights were found to be brightest in the competition. Sorry, I don't remember the exact models but it is worth checking out with ET and find the reviews by Selfbuilt.

 

[Quality]

Eagletac has some powerful AA lights released recently. Through the reviews, with XML2 emitters, 3x and 6x AA setups, these lights were found to be brightest in the competition. Sorry, I don't remember the exact models but it is worth checking out with ET and find the reviews by Selfbuilt.

Eagletac GX25A3 3xAA MSRP ~ $90

Definitely the best 3xAA currently available IMO (our opinion?). Not sure if that's what he's looking to spend or the form factor he wants but its a great choice.

 

[Kokopelli]

Eagletac GX25A3 3xAA MSRP ~ $90

Definitely the best 3xAA currently available IMO (our opinion?). Not sure if that's what he's looking to spend or the form factor he wants but its a great choice.

Ah yes, that should be the one. Thanks for adding the model, Quality.

 

[holylight]

Eagletac GX25A3 3xAA MSRP ~ $90

Definitely the best 3xAA currently available IMO (our opinion?). Not sure if that's what he's looking to spend or the form factor he wants but its a great choice.

Certainly gx25a3 out perform most if not all single 18650 lights. That's good news for me as I feel more comfortable buying these lights with my abundant AAs.

 

[StorminMatt]

There are some great lights in 1xAA, 2xAA, 3xAA etc. all the way up to 8xAA. Tell us which form factor would you prefer and you will have great recommendations in no time.

If it's REAL brightness you're after, you need at least 3xAA. For whatever reason, there don't seem to be any boost drivers available that can feed more than about 1A to an LED using 1xAA or 2xAA. That's why even 2xAA lights are limited at around 300-400 lumens. 3xAA (NiMH) is roughly equivalent to 1x18650 (ICR) in terms of voltage and current output. Of course, if 300-400 is enough for you, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. But since the question was BRIGHTEST flashlight than can run on AA batteries, I can only assume you are looking for more.

 

[oRAirwolf]

Please, do tell.

I believe it is Niwalker

 

[shelm]

Eagletac GX25A3.

brighter than Sunwayman D40A.

 

[Quality]

If it's REAL brightness you're after, you need at least 3xAA. For whatever reason, there don't seem to be any boost drivers available that can feed more than about 1A to an LED using 1xAA or 2xAA. That's why even 2xAA lights are limited at around 300-400 lumens. 3xAA (NiMH) is roughly equivalent to 1x18650 (ICR) in terms of voltage and current output. Of course, if 300-400 is enough for you, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. But since the question was BRIGHTEST flashlight than can run on AA batteries, I can only assume you are looking for more.

I agree with you Matt. I think the OP may be a new guy(just as we all once were) just trying to get a feel for whats out there. He might not know what 10, 50, 200, 500 lumens looks like. I think that starting with the # of batteries he prefers to use is a good way to make it easier to understand.

An SC52 could be the perfect light for him. Or perhaps the Nitecore EA8 is what he wants. Maybe something in between?

It all depends on the form factor he wants.